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Good morning football fans. It’s Friday, April. 24 - President Trump's envoy asks Fifa to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup, La Liga dominates the world’s most valuable clubs, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURES
FA Cup semi-finals: Manchester City vs. Southampton, Saturday 25, 17:15 BST / 12:15 ET. Man City can become the first team to reach the FA Cup final in four consecutive seasons, while Southampton are trying to break a two-game losing streak in the competition’s semi-finals. While Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in 12 FA Cup appearances for Man City, he has never scored or assisted in a semi-final or final in any competition for the club. Chelsea vs. Leeds United, Sunday 26, 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET. Chelsea are yet to beat Leeds in two meetings this season, with Daniel Farke’s side winning 3-1 at Elland Road and snatching a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. This will be their first FA Cup meeting since the fifth round in 2023/24, when the Blues progressed after a 3-2 win.
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TOP TALKING POINTS
World Cup Controversial Request
A senior envoy to the United States President Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup. The move, reported by the Financial Times, is an attempt to repair relationships between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the American president’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi described the proposal as “not appropriate” whilst rejecting the idea of replacing Iran.
"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I'm an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion," U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT. Four-time winners Italy failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup after a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying play-off final.
Reports on Thursday claimed that Fifa has no plans to replace Iran with Italy and that, under Fifa rules, it has "sole discretion" over what happens if a team withdraws or is excluded from the competition. Further, an Iranian government spokesperson said the men's national team are preparing for "proud and successful participation" at the World Cup.
World’s Most Valuable Clubs
Real Madrid ($7.7bn) and Barcelona ($6.65bn) rank as the two most valuable football clubs in the world, according to Sportico’s annual rankings, with the Catalan side leapfrogging Manchester United ($6.47bn) in this year’s rankings. The La Liga clubs generated $1.3bn and $1.1bn in revenue during the 2024-25 season, respectively, making them just two of four sports teams in the world — including the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Dodgers — to generate over $1bn in revenue.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich ($5.78bn) and Liverpool ($5.74bn) round out the top five clubs. In total, the top 50 clubs are worth a combined $95.5bn, an 11% increase compared to last year.
Europe dominates the top of the valuations table, holding all 15 top slots, but Major League Soccer dominates the remaining 70% of the list, with a league-high 18 entries out of the 50, more than any other league globally. Inter Miami, valued at $1.45bn, lead the way for the MLS, while five other clubs rank among the world’s top 20. While MLS revenues are far lower than those of top European clubs, they have the advantage of cost controls, modern stadiums and ownership collaboration.
Premier League Projections
Arsenal are still 65% favourites to win the Premier League, despite being second to Manchester City, according to Opta’s prediction model. Mikel Arteta’s side, who trail Man City based on goals scored, have a chance to go top of the league again on Saturday (April 25) when they host Newcastle at the Emirates. See Premier League Matchday 34 fixtures here and the table here.
However, a popular prediction market, where odds are shaped by real-time trading, currently gives Man City the advantage, estimating a 57% chance of winning the league compared to Arsenal’s 43%. Opta’s model, however, is more optimistic about Arsenal, largely due to a favourable run-in: their final five matches are all against teams in the bottom half of the table, including already-relegated Burnley. In contrast, Man City face a tougher schedule, with all remaining fixtures, except one, against top-half sides: Everton (A), Brentford (H), Bournemouth (A), and Aston Villa (H).
As it stands, Man City and Arsenal are level on points (70) and goal difference (37), meaning the next decider of the title is goals scored — Man City have scored 66 times, compared to Arsenal’s 63. If the clubs finish level on points, goal difference, and goals scored, Man City would be crowned champions because they have won more points across the two head-to-head matches with Arsenal this season.
POLL
Do you think football clubs should be run to make a profit?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> The BBC has ended the Saturday lunchtime TV show Football Focus after 52 years due to “changing audience habits” (More)
> Bayern Munich Women host Barcelona Femeni in the Women’s Champions League semi-final on Saturday (April 25), while Arsenal Women host Ol Lyonnes on Sunday (April 26) (More); dive deeper into the key storylines (More)
> Championship side Millwall can go second in the league with their away match against Leicester City on Friday (April 24) before second-placed Ipswich face West Brom on Saturday (April 25); see every upcoming Championship fixture (More) and table (More)
> Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be available for Spain at the World Cup (More) | Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler is expected to be out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury (More)
> Celtic’s most decorated player James Forrest has signed a new deal to keep him on for his 18th season at the club (More); see the upcoming SPFL fixtures (More)
Americas
> FC Cincinnati’s Evander now holds the record for most goals scored by a Brazilian-born player in MLS history after his 95th-minute penalty in a 4-4 draw with New York City FC (More); see upcoming MLS fixtures (More) and Conference Standings (More)
> The NWSL resumes with Bay FC vs Washington Spirit kicking off the weekend fixtures on Friday (April 24); see NWSL fixtures (More) and Standings (More)
> Guadalajara’s lead at the top of Liga MX Clausura has been reduced to two points after their draw and Puma’s 4-2 win over Jaurez; see the upcoming Liga MX fixtures (More) and standings (More)
> The NSL’s second season begins on Friday (April 24) with Vancouver vs Toronto; see NSL fixtures (More); dive deeper into everything you need to know about the upcoming season (More)
> The USL Cup group stage kicks off this weekend; see the full list of fixtures (More) and watch the preview show (More)
> The United States women's national team will travel to play Brazil in June in a pair of 2027 World Cup venues to prepare for the tournament (More)
Rest of the World
> A new international union group representing football players has launched to rival the long-established global union FIFPro (More)
> Saudi Arabia appointed Georgios Donis as coach of the national team until July 2027 (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Have Chelsea made the right decision to sack Liam Rosenior after just three months?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👍 Yes (52%)
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 🙅♂️ Nope (45%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (3%)
Your punditry takes:
👍 L.H: “Liam Rosenior had to go after the last five results and his comments after the Brighton game. But the owners now need to completely overhaul the club's hierarchy before appointing a new manager. No coach will succeed within the current framework, and it is probably now at the stage where no decent and self-respecting manager would even consider taking the job. Incidentally, as a Crystal Palace fan, I would welcome Liam Rosenior as Oliver Glasner’s replacement because I believe he is a fine, intelligent coach who has the potential to succeed in the right club environment.”
👍 J.L: “His system was not working, and he did not motivate the players at all. They have to qualify for the Champions League, and sacking the manager and bringing in someone new is the only possible fix with so few games left. They need to win now, so this change was a must.”
🙅♂️ J.C: “A knee-jerk reaction, which is all too common from owners these days. A manager should have at least four transfer windows to get rid of and recruit.”
EXTRA TIME
Who runs the fastest, slowest, most and least in the Prem?
Inside the $5bn World Cup stadium in California.
Breaking down how much a last-minute trip to the World Cup would cost.
Scottish Premiership title race projections.
What is the biggest football scoreline without a hat-trick?
Kaka reposts his viral ‘cut back’ video.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Frenkie de Jong has become the Dutch player with the most appearances in Barcelona's history, with 293 matches. Can you name which player he’s overtaken?
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I don’t care if he likes Mourinho, Julia Roberts, or whoever.
Answer
Phillip Cocu, who previously held the record with 292 appearances during his time at Barcelona between 1998 and 2004.
